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In reply to the discussion: How Trucking Went From One of the Best Jobs in America to One of the Worst [View all]
A HERETIC I AM
(24,908 posts)38. The new "Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse" is having a dramatic effect
https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/
This is a new program that I and all current CDL holders have had to register with, and it is hurting some drivers and their ability to find work.
We have a really stupid perspective in this country regarding Cannabis use vs alcohol. I could get completely shit faced drunk tonight, wake up with a hangover, take some aspirin and go get behind the wheel with no legal issues, but if I took one toke from a joint 6 days ago, and had to take a drug screen today, it could cost me my job.
It's absurd. I saw an article the other day that suggested over 75,000 drivers have been sidelined nationwide because of past failed drug screens, and failing a pre-hire drug screen keeps out thousands more.
Why this industry insists that if you got high in the past, you are either still high or such a greater risk that you should not be allowed to drive, yet the alcohol example I gave above is tolerated, is beyond me. And beyond stupid.
And before anyone jumps down my throat, I am not for one second suggesting impaired drivers be allowed to drive. But no one that got high yesterday is still high 24 hours later. We have a totally backward and outdated perspective on drug use in the US.
This is a new program that I and all current CDL holders have had to register with, and it is hurting some drivers and their ability to find work.
We have a really stupid perspective in this country regarding Cannabis use vs alcohol. I could get completely shit faced drunk tonight, wake up with a hangover, take some aspirin and go get behind the wheel with no legal issues, but if I took one toke from a joint 6 days ago, and had to take a drug screen today, it could cost me my job.
It's absurd. I saw an article the other day that suggested over 75,000 drivers have been sidelined nationwide because of past failed drug screens, and failing a pre-hire drug screen keeps out thousands more.
Why this industry insists that if you got high in the past, you are either still high or such a greater risk that you should not be allowed to drive, yet the alcohol example I gave above is tolerated, is beyond me. And beyond stupid.
And before anyone jumps down my throat, I am not for one second suggesting impaired drivers be allowed to drive. But no one that got high yesterday is still high 24 hours later. We have a totally backward and outdated perspective on drug use in the US.
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How Trucking Went From One of the Best Jobs in America to One of the Worst [View all]
Nittersing
Nov 2021
OP
A lot of truckstops have become dangerous places and some of the truckers on the road...
hlthe2b
Nov 2021
#3
It was a good job for a working guy without college just like working for Ford or GM....and the
Demsrule86
Nov 2021
#12
This article looks at retention as the issue... or at least part of the problem
Nittersing
Nov 2021
#21